Spotlights
"What the Vote"
November 01, 2024
What the Vote? is a new podcast from Michigan Public all about Gen Z's role in this pivotal election, as told by Gen-Z reporters. From reproductive rights to free speech to the war in Gaza, we'll dig deep into the issues that matter to young people this election.
This six-episode series dropped Tuesday, Oct. 8, with new episodes
every Tuesday and Thursday. Listen and subscribe on your favorite
platforms.
Hosted by Zena Issa, Adan Tomas Quan, Aaron Bush, Ethan Meyers,
Yesenia Zamora-Cardoso, Kalloli Bhatt, Stateside staff.
Professors Dan Cope and Krista Benson were connected
with Michigan Public's Stateside: What the Vote? over the summer. Both
are active with GVSU
Votes on campus. The podcast is all about Gen Z's role in the
upcoming national election, as told by student reporters. Professor
Cope connected a few of her INT 100/201 students with reporter Yesenia
Zamora-Cardoso to talk about how significant reproductive rights
are to young voters. This is one example of students in Brooks College
doing great work.
Sammie's Reflections:
"I was very honored to be part of this podcast. I have a lot of
support from my family and friends related to politics so I wasn't
hesitant to use my voice."
Sammie is a junior in the Social
Work program and works as a student employee in the School of
Interdisciplinary Studies (SIS)She is a first-time voter.
"It's scary to think about voting, to be part of something so
big, when my rights are at stake. This is the first time I'm cognizant
of it."
Sammie, grew up in Howell, MI a town she recalls as
being sheltered, but that her parents raised her to have her own
choices and make her own decisions.
After a difficult freshman
fall semester, she connected with a high school friend, joined an
acapella group and switched from Psychology to Social Work. Things got
better and she's flourishing.
"For the first time I'm
realizing I'm an adult and I'm making decisions."
Which led
us back to the election and voting.
"I'm voting for myself
and I'm also voting for something that impacts other people. It's important."